Byte of Texas: The Inaugural Austin Food Blogger Alliance Conference

Next month, the Austin Food Blogger Alliance will hold its first-ever conference, Byte of Texas. This is a really, really big deal for a lot of reasons. Firstly, there isn’t an organization of food bloggers anything like what we’ve got going on with AFBA. In less than five years, this group has swelled to more than 150 members, has hosted several philanthropic events (including this summer’s Big Chill, benefiting Meals on Wheels), published a community cookbook, and is a powerhouse support system for writers and photographers who are passionate about food.

A sip of Texas (the Petey, my favorite cocktail at Salty Sow)

Thanks to the generosity of The Harvard Press and Bob’s Red Mill, the AFBA is able to offer conference scholarships for three lucky members. Here’s why I’d like to attend Byte of Texas:

It’s happening the weekend of my birthday, and any birthday weekend that involves thinking and talking and writing about food — not to mention eating good food — is a winning birthday weekend.

I’m excited to get inspiration for my blog, which tends to go fallow when I run out of ideas/time. (You may have noticed.)